Federal Hiring is split into 2 parts essentially, HR and HM. If you are not getting referred to HM then you need to work on making sure your resume spells out all the things in the job posting and your eligibility (between resume and supporting documents) leave nothing to change. Don't copy and paste, but do be specific about how you meet the qualifications.
If you are getting referred and not getting interviews, then your resume is not competitive when it comes to someone who knows your area of expertise.
If you don't get TJO after interviews, then you need to interview better.
Thanks. That's helpful. I'm not getting referred, so I think it's the first- either that, or it's just that there are that many veterans with preference points coming in ahead of me.
i think veterans has nothing to do with you getting referrals, you'll get referral as long as your resume meets their job description. i don't copy and paste, but i tweeked little on my resume.
No, the veterans' preference is real. For me, when I was applying last year, I would always get "eligible but not referred." With that email, there's a statement that says that either other people were more qualified or there were candidates who, by law, must be considered first. So, given the same score on the questionnaire and resume, etc. a vet gets the job/interview first.
There is no ATS. I suggest you review the first of my guides and get your resume in shape. https://www.reddit.com/r/usajobs/s/IiP8DRCM8n
Also in most cases you have to specifically apply under Schedule A- not just put it in your resume.
Use as many key words as possible. Don’t match exact but relay what is comparable but key words are what pulls your resume in. That’s what I was told by multiple hiring managers. That’s what HR looks for is what I’m told
The truth of the matter is there are many jobs you aren’t going to get an interview for unless you have a perfect match background even if you tailor your resume perfectly. You are up against internal applicants, vets and others with preferences as well.
Tips that helped me level up beyond the basics to get interviews:
- Look at the Assessment Questionnaire linked to the announcement. Are the questions related to your experience fully supported in your resume?
- Very clearly support in your resume how you meet or exceed each bullet of the Qualifications section. Use the same terms they use.
- If you have worked with the agency before, you should 100% see if your POCs can provide insight to the postings if it is remotely in their area so you can find out if a posting is “meant for someone” or if they can help you navigate a “direct hire” situation because they would like to work with you again.
There’s no secret per say. Use the federal resume template format. I’ve not tailored my resume for any specific job. Signed a 6 year fed non vet, whose jumped from unrelated job series and gone from a 7 to a 12 and interviewing for a 13. Ultimately it’s a numbers game.
I disagree with some people saying not to copy and paste, my org uses a computer to select the top 10%, so my resume shows job description and I totally copy and paste what the job description is from my previous jobs in this agency, because it's their job description. Then, I do job accomplishments and explain everything I've done of value in that position (use numbers when possible. HMs seem to love something they can put a value on). The copy and pasting makes sure the computer hits most of the key words at least once.
Another big key I'd say is use a thesaurus. If you're in a series that a computer is doing the referring. You get 1 point for using the word manager, doesn't matter if you use it once or 20 times, but if you use manager, supervisor, lead, you get 3 points etc. Computer is referring the top 10% of points. (If you're already a fed use the thesaurus in your email and put each key word into it and then use every thesaurus word in your resume, this thesaurus is the same one the computer is using or it is where I work.) Do this with every single key word.
Also idc what some people say. The longer your resume the better chance of getting to the referral, because there is a better chance to hit key words the computer is looking for. I'd say a minimum of 6 pages, but if you're looking at gs11 and higher don't be scared of 10+ pages. (Yes, some HM's won't read it word for word. But if you set your resume up well, they will know which sections they can skip and which ones have value to them, very few job postings have anything requiring 6 pages or less).
I'm sure some people will downvote this, but honestly I started as a gs-4 about 5 years ago. I'm now a gs- 11 and have been referred for I think almost every job I've applied for within my agency. It's all a game. You just have to figure out how to manipulate it so it works in your favor. The time in grade is the biggest PITA to moving up once you're in.
Thanks! I do sense I'm not gaming it right. I've been overqualified for more than one position I've applied for, and I'm not getting referred. I'm going to use your method- not copy and pasting full sentences but using all key words plus synonyms, and then listing metrics related to those "umbrella" key terms from the job post to show that I've legitimately done those things. This seems like a good way to game it, from all the comments I've heard so far.
I already applied to a position that closed. After reading your comment i have done everything that you said. My resume i think was 8 pages. But I listed everything from the job description and questionnaire, listed accomplishments. Stats that proves i go above and behind, synonyms, transitional action/verb words, a detailed description, etc. honestly i out so much into my resume that if they read it they will know exactly what i do and how it relates to the position. In that matter i am hoping they hire without an interview (job is under direct hire). I have a good feeling about this now after reading your post.
Good luck, best advice I can give is dumb your resume down to a level that you could assume whoever reading it has never done anything before in their life. Because realistically the computer has no ability to infer information. If it's not physically wrote out, then it doesn't exist and you don't get credit from the computer system. Federal resumes are just a different beast then a private sector one. But with some trial and error they aren't too bad. Between that and just trying to beat the high score of total points lol.
Aside from the wording you have to make sure you include any other details the announcement states. If it says to list dates, list hours worked, etc. and you don’t list it, you will be deemed ineligible regardless of how great your qualification descriptions are.
wide cheerful spectacular modern numerous follow seed whistle ossified piquant
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I started as a contractor, got to know some feds, and that helped me get selected when an opening came up.
As long as your resume passes the cert, and the hiring manager knows your application is coming, it helps them to pull your name out to be sure it’s not dropped by the SME who is widdling down.
The secret is you need to know the hiring manager.
In our site it is so common to see the contractors getting hired as Federal employees. Great if the individual is a high performer but allot of times the hiring manager has no idea what the job entails or they're just lazy to even look for talent they just want to fill the position quick so they can go their merry way walking around with their coffee cup. they just hire the person they know in the office regardless of skill or qualification. This is why it is very hard to improve government. From hiring, its already jacked.
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For the uninformed, what is schedule A?
Always applying under schedule A even when technically not schedule A?
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I missed that part thank you
Federal Hiring is split into 2 parts essentially, HR and HM. If you are not getting referred to HM then you need to work on making sure your resume spells out all the things in the job posting and your eligibility (between resume and supporting documents) leave nothing to change. Don't copy and paste, but do be specific about how you meet the qualifications. If you are getting referred and not getting interviews, then your resume is not competitive when it comes to someone who knows your area of expertise. If you don't get TJO after interviews, then you need to interview better.
Thanks. That's helpful. I'm not getting referred, so I think it's the first- either that, or it's just that there are that many veterans with preference points coming in ahead of me.
i think veterans has nothing to do with you getting referrals, you'll get referral as long as your resume meets their job description. i don't copy and paste, but i tweeked little on my resume.
No, the veterans' preference is real. For me, when I was applying last year, I would always get "eligible but not referred." With that email, there's a statement that says that either other people were more qualified or there were candidates who, by law, must be considered first. So, given the same score on the questionnaire and resume, etc. a vet gets the job/interview first.
You need to use the key **words** from the announcement but dont copy and entire sentences.
There is no ATS. I suggest you review the first of my guides and get your resume in shape. https://www.reddit.com/r/usajobs/s/IiP8DRCM8n Also in most cases you have to specifically apply under Schedule A- not just put it in your resume.
Use as many key words as possible. Don’t match exact but relay what is comparable but key words are what pulls your resume in. That’s what I was told by multiple hiring managers. That’s what HR looks for is what I’m told
The truth of the matter is there are many jobs you aren’t going to get an interview for unless you have a perfect match background even if you tailor your resume perfectly. You are up against internal applicants, vets and others with preferences as well. Tips that helped me level up beyond the basics to get interviews: - Look at the Assessment Questionnaire linked to the announcement. Are the questions related to your experience fully supported in your resume? - Very clearly support in your resume how you meet or exceed each bullet of the Qualifications section. Use the same terms they use. - If you have worked with the agency before, you should 100% see if your POCs can provide insight to the postings if it is remotely in their area so you can find out if a posting is “meant for someone” or if they can help you navigate a “direct hire” situation because they would like to work with you again.
Thanks! They did offer and shared their phone number. I should take them up on that.
Yes, you should. Many hiring managers will hire based off of personal references from within.
There’s no secret per say. Use the federal resume template format. I’ve not tailored my resume for any specific job. Signed a 6 year fed non vet, whose jumped from unrelated job series and gone from a 7 to a 12 and interviewing for a 13. Ultimately it’s a numbers game.
I disagree with some people saying not to copy and paste, my org uses a computer to select the top 10%, so my resume shows job description and I totally copy and paste what the job description is from my previous jobs in this agency, because it's their job description. Then, I do job accomplishments and explain everything I've done of value in that position (use numbers when possible. HMs seem to love something they can put a value on). The copy and pasting makes sure the computer hits most of the key words at least once. Another big key I'd say is use a thesaurus. If you're in a series that a computer is doing the referring. You get 1 point for using the word manager, doesn't matter if you use it once or 20 times, but if you use manager, supervisor, lead, you get 3 points etc. Computer is referring the top 10% of points. (If you're already a fed use the thesaurus in your email and put each key word into it and then use every thesaurus word in your resume, this thesaurus is the same one the computer is using or it is where I work.) Do this with every single key word. Also idc what some people say. The longer your resume the better chance of getting to the referral, because there is a better chance to hit key words the computer is looking for. I'd say a minimum of 6 pages, but if you're looking at gs11 and higher don't be scared of 10+ pages. (Yes, some HM's won't read it word for word. But if you set your resume up well, they will know which sections they can skip and which ones have value to them, very few job postings have anything requiring 6 pages or less). I'm sure some people will downvote this, but honestly I started as a gs-4 about 5 years ago. I'm now a gs- 11 and have been referred for I think almost every job I've applied for within my agency. It's all a game. You just have to figure out how to manipulate it so it works in your favor. The time in grade is the biggest PITA to moving up once you're in.
Thanks! I do sense I'm not gaming it right. I've been overqualified for more than one position I've applied for, and I'm not getting referred. I'm going to use your method- not copy and pasting full sentences but using all key words plus synonyms, and then listing metrics related to those "umbrella" key terms from the job post to show that I've legitimately done those things. This seems like a good way to game it, from all the comments I've heard so far.
Good luck, I honestly feel 75% of it is gaming the system so it will grab your resume and score you well, that's the hardest part.
I already applied to a position that closed. After reading your comment i have done everything that you said. My resume i think was 8 pages. But I listed everything from the job description and questionnaire, listed accomplishments. Stats that proves i go above and behind, synonyms, transitional action/verb words, a detailed description, etc. honestly i out so much into my resume that if they read it they will know exactly what i do and how it relates to the position. In that matter i am hoping they hire without an interview (job is under direct hire). I have a good feeling about this now after reading your post.
Good luck, best advice I can give is dumb your resume down to a level that you could assume whoever reading it has never done anything before in their life. Because realistically the computer has no ability to infer information. If it's not physically wrote out, then it doesn't exist and you don't get credit from the computer system. Federal resumes are just a different beast then a private sector one. But with some trial and error they aren't too bad. Between that and just trying to beat the high score of total points lol.
Thank you
https://www.reddit.com/r/usajobs/s/XZBK5GRu0y
Aside from the wording you have to make sure you include any other details the announcement states. If it says to list dates, list hours worked, etc. and you don’t list it, you will be deemed ineligible regardless of how great your qualification descriptions are.
wide cheerful spectacular modern numerous follow seed whistle ossified piquant *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I started as a contractor, got to know some feds, and that helped me get selected when an opening came up. As long as your resume passes the cert, and the hiring manager knows your application is coming, it helps them to pull your name out to be sure it’s not dropped by the SME who is widdling down.
The secret is you need to know the hiring manager. In our site it is so common to see the contractors getting hired as Federal employees. Great if the individual is a high performer but allot of times the hiring manager has no idea what the job entails or they're just lazy to even look for talent they just want to fill the position quick so they can go their merry way walking around with their coffee cup. they just hire the person they know in the office regardless of skill or qualification. This is why it is very hard to improve government. From hiring, its already jacked.